Latest news with #JonnyHughes
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
UK MPs call for ban on bottom trawling in protected marine areas
Ministers must ban bottom trawling for fish in marine protected areas, an influential group of MPs has said, because the destructive practice is devastating the seabed and marine life. The UK parliament's environmental audit committee called for a ban to encompass dredging and mining as well as the bottom trawling of fish in the 900,000 sq km covered by nearly 180 marine protected areas. Despite the name, these areas are open for many sorts of fishing, including bottom trawling – the practice of dragging immense and heavy nets across the seabed to scoop up all in their path, most of which is discarded while prized fish such as sole, cod and haddock are kept. 'Bottom trawling and scallop dredging are the most damaging forms of fishing,' said Jonny Hughes, senior policy manager at the Blue Marine Foundation thinktank and charity. 'They devastate the seabed and have amongst the highest rates of bycatch of any fishing method – most of this is simply thrown away. It is absurd and misleading to call any part of the ocean that allows these activities protected.' Campaigners have been calling for years for a ban, but public outcry has intensified since a film by Sir David Attenborough was released last month, to coincide with his 99th birthday. The film, Ocean – which was released in cinemas and will be available on streaming services in June – showed in detail some of the vital habitats raked by the massive nets that in effect plough up the seabed, leaving deep scars where it can take many years for marine life to recover. Toby Perkins, the chair of the Commons committee, said: 'Ministers must ensure that marine protected areas live up to their name. [They] have all the information they need to press ahead with banning bottom trawling in the offshore protected areas where it presents the most risk. Why the delay? Our oceans cannot afford any more prevarication. It is time to act.' The UK will send representatives to a UN oceans conference later this month. Ministers have previously indicated they could take action, and there are protections in place against damaging fishing practices in about 60% of the current marine protected areas but no full ban has yet been brought in. A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: 'Our precious marine animals and habitats have been under threat for too long. This government is committed to protecting and restoring our oceans to good health.'
The Independent
03-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Conservation charity secures Highlands estate bigger than Dundee
A nature conservation charity has secured a Highlands estate larger than the city of Dundee, hailing it as an 'important milestone' in tackling the climate crisis. The Scottish Wildlife Trust now owns the 7,618-hectare Inverbroom Estate following its largest ever land acquisition. The £17.5 million purchase has been made possible through a gift from a private donor – the largest donation in the trust's 60-year history. The charity said securing the site will enable it to significantly enhance its efforts to protect and restore wildlife at scale across Scotland. It is situated around eight miles south of Ullapool and the landscape is mainly peatland, ancient semi-natural woodland, farmland and numerous lochs and lochans. Trust chief executive Jo Pike said: 'Not only is the purchase of Inverbroom an important milestone for the trust, but also for Scotland's efforts to tackle the nature and climate crises. 'It is apt that we take ownership of the site on UN World Wildlife Day. 'The site includes some of Scotland's most iconic species and habitats, so we are delighted to have been able to secure it for the benefit of Scotland's wildlife and people, especially as there was also interest from overseas buyers. 'It has all been made possible by the incredible generosity of a private donor who is passionate about the part that Inverbroom can play in restoring our precious ecosystems, while delivering benefits for local people. 'We are extremely grateful to the donor for helping us secure this important site, and to our former chief executive and current Scottish Wildlife Trust ambassador, Jonny Hughes, who facilitated the donation.' The trust said at 7,618 hectares, the estate is larger than the city of Dundee which covers 6,300 hectares. Plans for the site include regenerating river woodland and temperate rainforest habitats, providing homes for creatures such as wood warblers and pine martens, and encouraging a wide range of mosses, lichens and fungi. Other ambitions include restoring peatlands and removing invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum. The trust has made a commitment to the donor that none of the work at Inverbroom will be funded through the sale of carbon credits. It also plans to work alongside local farmers to promote sustainable agricultural practices that will benefit nature while maintaining a productive business model. Scott Renwick, whose family have farmed at Inverbroom for three generations, said: 'We as a family are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside the Scottish Wildlife Trust. 'Our grandfather moved to Inverbroom in 1933, so the family have had a knowledge of the land for 92 years. 'There is an incredible diversity of wildlife on the estate, from sea level to 3,300ft, from seals on the shore to ptarmigan on the tops. 'It is exciting to be involved with a highly respected organisation who will take traditional hill farming and wildlife preservation hand in hand, so that we can continue to farm at Inverbroom in such a way as to protect the natural environment.' The site is bordered to the east by two rivers, the Broom and the Cuileig, and to the south by two Munros, A' Chailleach and Sgurr Breac. Two bridges on the estate were designed by Sir John Fowler, chief engineer on the construction of the Forth Road Bridge, who once owned Inverbroom in the 19th century.
